Heathcote gym At The Bar are gearing up for their second year competing in our Ekiden relay and after fantastic results in 2023 with their men’s team taking out second place and their women’s team coming in third, these locals are giving it their best shot in 2024.
Gym owner Nicky Walker has been keeping her team’s fitness levels up; “A few team members have been running consistently since last year and have kept their training up while others have been getting together in groups on the weekends and training together when they can.”
“The comradery from last year’s event was so amazing to be a part of. We had signs to send off each running pair (female and male) from each checkpoint and the rest of the team would be at each checkpoint to celebrate them when they got in. We were all out there doing our best and there was no pressure to get it done at a particular pace but just being proud of ourselves and each other for giving it our best shot.” And the celebrations didn’t stop there; “Afterwards we went out to lunch to celebrate with our friends and family. Everyone was on such a high celebrating each other’s wins.”
Nicky believes that the O’Keefe Challenge is a fantastic event for the whole community. “I love that it’s an event based around being active, being outside, cheering participants on and the organising committee put on a really great day for the families at the finish line. The little kids all the way up to the elderly can get involved. It’s a really good day for the whole community.”
For any groups that are thinking of getting a team together for either of the relay events Nicky says it’s worth the effort. “Register and get around a great event for a great cause that leaves you feeling a great sense of achievement not just within yourself but also for your team mates.”
For more information on our relay events and to register click here.
